The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering relocating the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from the East African co-hosts, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This follows a critical inspection report highlighting significant delays in stadium construction and renovation, putting the tournament's feasibility at risk.
The joint bid, named the "Pamoja" (Together) project, was championed by CAF President Patrice Motsepe as a unifying force for East African football. However, a recent CAF inspection team found that none of the proposed host stadiums currently meet the required standards, with construction timelines lagging dangerously behind schedule.
CAF has issued a stern warning, giving the three nations a short deadline to provide convincing guarantees and evidence of accelerated progress. Failure to do so will force the continental body to reopen the bidding process for the 2027 tournament. The original decision to award the event to East Africa was made in September 2023.
This potential relocation marks a major setback for the region's football development ambitions. The situation underscores the recurring challenges African nations face in delivering the infrastructure required for CAF's flagship event, following similar issues with previous hosts.
